Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
ACM40418
Location
Study Mode
On Campus & Online
On Campus & Workplace
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing - ACM40418
Course Overview
Ever dreamed of working with animals? The Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing equips students with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career as a Veterinary Nurse.
Students will gain comprehensive training in all aspects of veterinary nursing to help them maintain the health of animals, including imaging, surgery preparation, medical and surgical nursing routines, and clinical pathology.
To achieve this qualification, participants must have completed at least 240 hours of work placement. Students must have successfully completed ACM20121 equivalent or above to enter this course.
This course is available as part of the Free TAFE scheme for eligible students.
Careers & study pathways
Where can this course take me?
This course prepares students to work as a Veterinary Nurse.
Further study
After graduating, students might like to undertake further study in the ACM50219 Diploma of Veterinary Nursing.
Students can also use this course as a pathway to university, with four subject credits counting towards the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology at Charles Sturt University.
Course details
Upcoming dates and times
Choose a location below to learn more about when this course is offered and on which days you’ll need to attend.
Wangaratta - Tone Road
(5 commencing soon)
Starts On: 18-Jul-2024 - Part time - Monday to Friday inclusive - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 27-Jun-2024
Open From: 01-Feb-2024 - Workplace - Part time - Various - On Campus & Workplace
Open From: 29-Mar-2024 - Traineeship - Part time - Various - On Campus & Workplace
Open From: 29-Jun-2024 - Traineeship - Part time - Various - On Campus & Workplace
Open From: 21-Sep-2024 - Traineeship - Part time - Various - On Campus & Workplace
Study units
Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.
This course requires a total of 21 units: 17 core and 4 elective.
Core units
17 unit(s)
- ACMGAS307 Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work
- ACMGAS308 Communicate effectively with clients and team members
- ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work
- ACMVET202 Carry out daily practice routines
- ACMVET401 Coordinate veterinary reception duties
- ACMVET402 Apply imaging routines
- ACMVET403 Perform clinical pathology procedures
- ACMVET404 Perform practice office procedures
- ACMVET405 Coordinate and perform surgical nursing routines
- ACMVET406 Nurse animals
- ACMVET407 Carry out medical nursing routines
- ACMVET408 Provide nutritional advice and support for animals
- ACMVET409 Provide specific animal care advice
- ACMVET410 Carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures
- ACMVET413 Prepare for anaesthesia and monitor animal anaesthesia and analgesia
- ACMVET416 Assist with the preparation of veterinary drugs and poisons
- ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
Elective units
9 unit(s)
- ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals
- ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
- ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid
- ACMMIC401 Implant microchip in cats and dogs
- ACMSPE304 Provide basic care of domestic dogs
- ACMSPE305 Provide basic care of domestic cats
- ACMVET203 Assist with surgery preparation
- ACMVET411 Prepare, deliver and review animal care education programs
- ACMVET412 Coordinate practice promotional activities
Attendance & commitment
General public blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend online classes/webinars two days per week for 2 hours per session (4 hours).
- Spend approximately 12-16 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled webinars and practical face-to-face workshops.
- Practical workshops are delivered at the Tone Road Wangaratta Campus for 1 week (5 days) over 4 weeks per year (8 weeks in total).
- Complete 240 hours of placement, organised by the student.
Traineeship blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Spend approximately 5 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend regular virtual catch-ups with their trainer, timing is arranged directly with the trainer.
- Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Students undertake their 240-hour placement in their place of work. In situations where all assessment tasks are unable to be completed in their workplace, students have the option to gain their practical experience and assessments in either the GOTAFE clinic or enter into a practical workplace agreement with another clinic that can provide the resources and opportunities required.
Workplace blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Spend approximately 10-13 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend regular virtual catch-ups with their trainer, timing is arranged directly with the trainer.
- Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Remain employed within the industry for the duration of their course.
- Students undertake their 240-hour placement in their place of work.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include the following:
- Knowledge questions
- Simulated demonstration
- Portfolios
- Verbal assessment
- Objective testing (multiple choice)
Before you begin
Entry requirements
GOTAFE entry requirements
Before being accepted into the course applicants:
- Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
- Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
- All applicants must attend an induction, face to face, via Zoom/Teams or phone.
- All applicants are required to successfully fulfill the entry requirements of the qualification which may include holding a ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Studies, or a relevant Certificate III (Such as ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services or ACM30617 Certificate III in Pet Grooming) or higher level qualification in an animal science discipline, or can demonstrate and provide evidence of equivalent skills and knowledge and experience in a relevant animal science discipline.
- Prospective Traineeship or Apprenticeship students are required to apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with their employer to organise their apprenticeship contract before applying for this course.
- Prospective VDSS students are required to apply through your School's VET coordinator or Careers advisor.
- Workplace-based applicants are required to have a minimum of 15 hours of paid employment in an approved vet clinic.
Technology requirements
Students must have:
- A laptop/computer with internet access, including access to YouTube.
- Access to a digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
- General stationary (pens, pencils, rulers)
Inherent requirements
- Working in this industry may involve shift work and working weekends.
- It involves handling a variety of animals which requires a reasonable level of fitness and stamina.
- It is recommended that all successful applicants be immunised against tetanus.
Enrolment
Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government-subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:
- Aspirations/career goals
- Educational attainment and capability
- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer
Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.
You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:
- Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.
Fees and payments
This course is available as part of the Free TAFE scheme for eligible students.
Fees and costs
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.
Please note that the fees on this webpage, for this particular course:
- are correct at the time of publishing for those enrolling in 2024 and may change without notice.
- will be discussed with applications as part of the application process to ensure it is understood what is being paid for and which fee rates they may be eligible for.
Course Fees consist of 3 different components:
- Student Tuition Fee - cover the costs of training and assessment. These fees vary across courses and are calculated based on a rate per nominal hour enrolled in. The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Circumstances may include:
- an individual’s eligibility for Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- an individual’s eligibility for concession rates on Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- ineligible individuals who are required to pay the full fees for tuition and other costs.
- Material Fee - where applicable, cover the costs of classroom consumables, handouts, and booklets, e-Learning resources, and associated license access fees and excursions.
- Student Services Fee (SSF) - contributes to the provision of student engagement, learning and support services. SSF is a non-refundable annual fee that does not apply to short-course participants.
Additionally, some courses require students to purchase or supply textbooks, kits, tools, uniforms and personal protection equipment. Some specific materials may be purchased through the GOTAFE Bookshop. A full list with associated costs will be provided to you at your course information session or during the pre-training review Interview.
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your fees.
Learn more about fees, charges, refunds and payment options
Student support
As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.
Learning support
A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your english language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.
Learn more about our learning support services
Library
Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.
Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton
Jobs and study options
Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.
Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres
Contingent Study Arrangements
Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.
Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.
Support for personal issues
We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.
Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you
Disability support
Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.
Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors
Counselling services
We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.
Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.
Further information is provided at course induction.
This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
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